After each game, we give readers the opportunity to give the Grizzlies a grade for that game. After the Grizzlies' victory over Phoenix, fans gave the team a 2.87 grade point average (on the 4.0 scale). For the season -- we started keeping tally with the Houston game on Nov. 9 -- the team's GPA is 3.35, a Dean's list performance.

Don't forget to check out the game stories Friday (vs. New Orleans) and Saturday (after Atlanta) to cast your grade. Each poll is open until noon the following day.

The lull was over for Quincy Pondexter.

After the Grizzlies' reserve swingman struggled to make an impact despite substantial playing time in the previous two games, he was flying all over the court on defense and making shots on offense to thwart a would-be blowout Tuesday night against Phoenix.

If Zach Randolph was Batman when he saved the Grizzlies from an embarrassing home loss to the Suns, then Pondexter undoubtedly played the role of Robin.

To use a baseball analogy, Pondexter was the setup man for Randolph's emphatic performance as a closer.

Pondexter put an imprint on that game with a 14-point first half when the Griz also benefited from his boundless energy without the basketball. He has been the most reliable player on a fickle bench so far this season and Pondexter feels the need to do better.

The 6-6 guard/forward strives to have an effect on consecutive games, starting Friday night when the Grizzlies play on the road against the New Orleans Hornets.

"My thing is to be consistent," Pondexter said. "The best way to do that is with effort. You're not going to score every game. But I just want to go out and control everything by my effort."

Pondexter averages just 6.5 points and two rebounds in 24 minutes. But the Grizzlies' coaching staff is satisfied with what he brings to the court. He's a player who understands his role and hardly ever goes out of character.

Pondexter appears to be evolving into a role player who can't be fairly judged by statistics. He's a guy who thrives because of the intangibles or plays that don't show up on a statistical sheet.

For example, Pondexter has 19 deflections this season and ranks 10th on the team based on average deflections per minute played. He's fifth among regular reserves in that category.

Pondexter's numbers may never be off the chart but he's helping the Griz win games. His defense is solid and disciplined (he fouls less than any Griz who plays at least 24 minutes), and Pondexter offers timely shooting despite a 40.9 overall percentage.

Hoisting shots with confidence and without hesitation, Pondexter's four double-digit scoring nights are the most of any Griz reserve. His 37.5-percent shooting from beyond the arc ranks third on the team behind Mike Conley and Rudy Gay.

"He's made some big threes for us," coach Lionel Hollins said. "At Oklahoma City (on Nov. 14), he came in the game and made some big threes. He's done it in different games. He did it (Tuesday night). He had a huge first half that kept us afloat. We were sinking behind what Phoenix brought to the party. His play in the first half kept us close because (the deficit) could have easily been 25 points. The defense we did just before halftime was really sparked by him and Darrell (Arthur). Quincy has good size. He can rebound and defend, and he's improved in every area."

Hollins clearly relishes Pondexter's versatility given Pondexter size allows him to alternate between shooting guard and small forward throughout most games. Pondexter declared during training camp that he could play a Shane Battier-esque role for the Griz, and he's generating more optimism by the minute in that regard.

"He's realized what he needs to work on and he's done that," Gay said. "That's one of the biggest transformations I've seen. He's definitely one of the reasons we've had this success."

Pondexter has a ways to go to achieve Battier's "Mr. Intangible" status but that doesn't make him any less unsung during the Grizzlies' 13-3 start.

"I'm just trying to go out there and help my team win games," Pondexter said. "I don't care about scoring. I just care about winning."